Dr. Michael Goodman, a leading expert on the Massachusetts economy, has been named Director of the UMass Dartmouth Center for Policy Analysis (CFPA)

Dr. Michael Goodman, a leading expert on the Massachusetts economy, has been named Director of the UMass Dartmouth Center for Policy Analysis (CFPA), effective July 1. Dr. Goodman succeeds Dr. Clyde W. Barrow.

"I am honored and look forward to working with Center staff to build upon the tradition of excellence that has characterized the work of the Center for Policy Analysis for the past thirty years." Dr. Goodman said. "I am committed to ensuring that the Center remains a key community resource and a leading provider of applied social science research and insight into the forces that shape the social and economic landscape of our region and the Commonwealth."

Dr. Goodman assumes leadership of the CFPA after serving for the past five years as Associate Professor and Chair of the UMass Dartmouth Department of Public Policy, where he directs the face-to-face and fully online Master of Public Policy program. Professor Goodman is Co-Editor of MassBenchmarks, the journal of the Massachusetts economy published by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute in collaboration with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Dr. Goodman also leads the Massachusetts Advanced Manufacturing Regional Partnership Academy, a first-in-the-nation effort providing research, technical assistance, and educational services to regional leaders across the Commonwealth, all supported by a $326,000 grant from MassDevelopment.

An economic sociologist, Professor Goodman has authored or co-authored more than two dozen professional publications on a wide range of public policy issues and has supported this research by generating more than $4 million in external grant and contract funding from a diverse array of public and private sources. Prior to joining UMass Dartmouth, Professor Goodman served as the Director of Economic and Public Policy Research at the Donahue Institute.

"Dr. Goodman brings a wealth of credibility, expertise and experience to his new role," Provost Mohammad Karim said. "We see this as the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the Center's distinguished history and a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the connections of our social science and public policy faculty and students to valuable research and community service opportunities."

"I'm looking forward to Dr. Goodman working with Center staff and key stakeholders to strengthen the Center's mission, governance, and profile," said Dr. Jeannette Riley, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "Our goal is to enhance collaborations with students, faculty, and the communities we serve."

Last week, the University announced the hiring Dr. Kimberly Christopher as dean of the College of Nursing. Dr. Christopher is returning to UMass Dartmouth after serving as chair of the Department of Nursing at Towson University in Maryland.